THE AUTHOR OF ROMANS
VERSE BY VERSE STUDY ON THE BOOK OF ROMANS
By Pastor Greg Hooker
No study of the book of Romans would be complete without first taking a look at its author. It’s easy to find out who the writer is in verse one - “Paul” the Apostle.
We can learn much from the life that Paul lived. It wasn’t glamorous, wealthy, or popular, but as we will discover, it was a life lived for God’s glory, at least after his conversion. Paul’s life leaves a legacy for all Christians to aspire to.
Paul performed great and wonderful things for God’s kingdom and left an example of what the Lord’s amazing grace can do when someone is consecrated in obedience to do the will of the Father.
Amazingly, the Apostle Paul penned at least 13 books in our Bible! They include the following:
We learn from these epistles that the Apostle Paul had a burning zeal for serving Jesus Christ. He owed his eternal life to Him. Paul's story is one of redemption through the One who bled for his sins on the cross.
As we study his life we find that Paul in his early years was far from being a godly man. In fact, he was an ardent persecutor of both the Jews, but especially toward the newly formed Church of Christianity. Before his conversion, Paul’s birth name was Saul.
Sadly, as many of us were before we were saved, Paul led a very dark and vile life before his conversion. He was a brutal man with strict religious zeal and unrelenting violence. He was judge, jury, and executioner of the infant Church and had the backing of the Roman Empire. He could snap his fingers and his Roman soldiers under his command would do anything asked of them, even putting someone to death for no other reason than they were followers of Christ. Paul’s ultimate goal was to stamp out the last vestiges of anyone who showed any interest in this crucified man called Jesus.
However, the Lord had great plans for this man who was called “Saul” before his encounter with the glory of Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. Saul was soon to have an extraordinary experience with the very person He was persecuting, the Risen Savior.
We can learn much from the life that Paul lived. It wasn’t glamorous, wealthy, or popular, but as we will discover, it was a life lived for God’s glory, at least after his conversion. Paul’s life leaves a legacy for all Christians to aspire to.
Paul performed great and wonderful things for God’s kingdom and left an example of what the Lord’s amazing grace can do when someone is consecrated in obedience to do the will of the Father.
Amazingly, the Apostle Paul penned at least 13 books in our Bible! They include the following:
- Galatians (AD 47)
- 1 and 2 Thessalonians (AD 49—51)
- 1 and 2 Corinthians and Romans (AD 52—56)
- Ephesians, Philemon, Colossians, and Philippians (AD 60—62, during Paul’s first Roman imprisonment)
- 1 Timothy and Titus (AD 62)
- 2 Timothy (AD 63—64, during Paul’s second Roman imprisonment)
- And possibly Hebrews which would make 14 books.
We learn from these epistles that the Apostle Paul had a burning zeal for serving Jesus Christ. He owed his eternal life to Him. Paul's story is one of redemption through the One who bled for his sins on the cross.
As we study his life we find that Paul in his early years was far from being a godly man. In fact, he was an ardent persecutor of both the Jews, but especially toward the newly formed Church of Christianity. Before his conversion, Paul’s birth name was Saul.
Sadly, as many of us were before we were saved, Paul led a very dark and vile life before his conversion. He was a brutal man with strict religious zeal and unrelenting violence. He was judge, jury, and executioner of the infant Church and had the backing of the Roman Empire. He could snap his fingers and his Roman soldiers under his command would do anything asked of them, even putting someone to death for no other reason than they were followers of Christ. Paul’s ultimate goal was to stamp out the last vestiges of anyone who showed any interest in this crucified man called Jesus.
However, the Lord had great plans for this man who was called “Saul” before his encounter with the glory of Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. Saul was soon to have an extraordinary experience with the very person He was persecuting, the Risen Savior.
QUESTION INSTRUCTIONS: Please read each question and write your answer in the "COMMENT" box below. Be sure to number each answer corresponding to the question asked and be as thorough as possible. The more you put into this study, the more you will commit it to memory. IMPORTANT: Do not refresh or shut your computer down until you are finished with this section and click the "Submit" button or you will loose all your information.
1) Who was the writer of the book of Romans? Give his birth name and his conversion name.
2) Paul did great and wonderful things for God. He left us an example to follow. Explain.
3) Paul had a "burning zeal" to do God's will after his conversion. Why?
2) Paul did great and wonderful things for God. He left us an example to follow. Explain.
3) Paul had a "burning zeal" to do God's will after his conversion. Why?
THE BIRTH PLACE OF SAUL AND RELIGIOUS UPBRINGING
Saul was born in Tarsus in Cilicia around AD 1-5 in a province in the southeastern corner of modern-day Tersous, Turkey (see picture below). He was of Benjamite lineage and Hebrew ancestry (Philippians 3:5–6).
He was raised as a strict Pharisee to Jewish nationalist who were devoted entirely to the Law of Moses. Saul was reared by parents who sought to shield and protect their children from Greeks and the Gentile world. Even though Saul’s family were Roman citizens, they held the city of Jerusalem as sacred. (Acts 22:22-29).
Later, at the age of thirteen, Saul was sent by his parents to learn and study from a rabbi name Gamaliel. This is where he mastered the history of the Jews, along with the teaching of the prophets.
Another five or six years of Saul’s education was spent delving and researching the ancient scrolls of the Torah, or Old Testament Scriptures (Acts 22:3). He went on to become a lawyer which was a giant step to becoming a member of the Jewish Supreme Court, the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was a group of 71 men who ruled over the lives and religious aspects of the Jewish people.
Saul was born in Tarsus in Cilicia around AD 1-5 in a province in the southeastern corner of modern-day Tersous, Turkey (see picture below). He was of Benjamite lineage and Hebrew ancestry (Philippians 3:5–6).
He was raised as a strict Pharisee to Jewish nationalist who were devoted entirely to the Law of Moses. Saul was reared by parents who sought to shield and protect their children from Greeks and the Gentile world. Even though Saul’s family were Roman citizens, they held the city of Jerusalem as sacred. (Acts 22:22-29).
Later, at the age of thirteen, Saul was sent by his parents to learn and study from a rabbi name Gamaliel. This is where he mastered the history of the Jews, along with the teaching of the prophets.
Another five or six years of Saul’s education was spent delving and researching the ancient scrolls of the Torah, or Old Testament Scriptures (Acts 22:3). He went on to become a lawyer which was a giant step to becoming a member of the Jewish Supreme Court, the Sanhedrin. The Sanhedrin was a group of 71 men who ruled over the lives and religious aspects of the Jewish people.
QUESTION INSTRUCTIONS: Please read each question and write your answer in the "COMMENT" box below. Be sure to number each answer corresponding to the question asked and be as thorough as possible. The more you put into this study, the more you will commit it to memory. IMPORTANT: Do not refresh or shut your computer down until you are finished with this section and click the "Submit" button or you will loose all your information.
4) Where was Paul born and in what time period?
5) What linage was Paul from? Give a reference for this.
6) Talk about the teachings Paul received from his parents.
7) Where was Paul sent at age 13 and what did he learn?
8) How long did Paul research and study the Scriptures according to Acts 22:3?
9) After this period of study, what did Paul go on to become?
5) What linage was Paul from? Give a reference for this.
6) Talk about the teachings Paul received from his parents.
7) Where was Paul sent at age 13 and what did he learn?
8) How long did Paul research and study the Scriptures according to Acts 22:3?
9) After this period of study, what did Paul go on to become?
SAUL’S RELIGIOUS FAITH
Saul was a steadfast enforcer for his legalistic faith and allowed no place for compromise. Because of this, Saul embraced the path of religious extremism.
In Acts 5:27-42, the Apostle Peter delivered a heated defense of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in front of the Sanhedrin. No doubt Saul would have heard this discourse which set both Saul and the people in a controversial frenzy. This prompted Gamaliel to deliver a message of his own, in hopes of calming the volatile situation.
Saul was a steadfast enforcer for his legalistic faith and allowed no place for compromise. Because of this, Saul embraced the path of religious extremism.
In Acts 5:27-42, the Apostle Peter delivered a heated defense of the Gospel of Jesus Christ in front of the Sanhedrin. No doubt Saul would have heard this discourse which set both Saul and the people in a controversial frenzy. This prompted Gamaliel to deliver a message of his own, in hopes of calming the volatile situation.
QUESTION INSTRUCTIONS: Please read each question and write your answer in the "COMMENT" box below. Be sure to number each answer corresponding to the question asked and be as thorough as possible. The more you put into this study, the more you will commit it to memory. IMPORTANT: Do not refresh or shut your computer down until you are finished with this section and click the "Submit" button or you will loose all your information.
10) Explain what happened in Acts 5:27-42.
PAUL A RELIGIOUS TERRORIST?
Later Saul may have been present during the trial of Saint Steven. We do know for sure he was at Steven’s stoning and subsequent death. In fact, the garments of Stephen were laid at Saul’s feet as he suffered an agonizing stoning (Acts 7:58).
Following this untimely death, a great persecution erupted against the church at Jerusalem (Acts 8:1). At which time Saul became enamored and determined to eradicate as many Christians as possible. To him they were nothing more than annoying cockroaches under his feet. Saul actually thought he was acting upon the authority of God. In short, Saul was a religious terrorist, especially when he believed whole heartedly his mission was sanction by the Lord and carried His stamp of approval. Notice Acts 8:3,
“He began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.”
Later Saul may have been present during the trial of Saint Steven. We do know for sure he was at Steven’s stoning and subsequent death. In fact, the garments of Stephen were laid at Saul’s feet as he suffered an agonizing stoning (Acts 7:58).
Following this untimely death, a great persecution erupted against the church at Jerusalem (Acts 8:1). At which time Saul became enamored and determined to eradicate as many Christians as possible. To him they were nothing more than annoying cockroaches under his feet. Saul actually thought he was acting upon the authority of God. In short, Saul was a religious terrorist, especially when he believed whole heartedly his mission was sanction by the Lord and carried His stamp of approval. Notice Acts 8:3,
“He began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.”
QUESTION INSTRUCTIONS: Please read each question and write your answer in the "COMMENT" box below. Be sure to number each answer corresponding to the question asked and be as thorough as possible. The more you put into this study, the more you will commit it to memory. IMPORTANT: Do not refresh or shut your computer down until you are finished with this section and click the "Submit" button or you will loose all your information.
11) Acts 7:58 tells us what about Paul?
12) What happened in Acts 8:1?
13) Write out Acts 8:3
12) What happened in Acts 8:1?
13) Write out Acts 8:3
THE CONVERSION OF SAUL
In Acts 9:1-22 we see the awesome grace of Jesus Christ as Saul unexpectedly meets the Shekinah glory of the risen and glorified Christ on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus. This was a journey of about 150 miles.
Every step of the way Saul's contempt and anger for Christians grew stronger and stronger. There was a rage of murder in the dark heart of Saul that intensified with every step.
In fact, before leaving Jerusalem on his journey to Damascus, he went before the High Priest for letters of permission authorizing him among the synagogues to capture and bind all Christians who were followers of “The Way” as they were commonly referred to. Saul was given high authority to bring any and all people who he thought was in any way connected to the “Man that died on the cross” and have them imprisoned, or worse, killed. He was a maniac with credentials to eliminate Christians without any recourse.
However, Saul was in for a great awakening, a moment in time unexpected. He was stopped dead in his tracks on the Damascus Road as a blinding Light from Heaven caused his knees to buckle. Falling headlong and face down to the earth, Saul heard these resounding words,
“Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?”
He replied, “Who are you Lord?” Jesus answered directly and clearly, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (verses 4–5).
From that moment on, Saul’s life was turned upside down. He would never be the same after coming face to face with the glory of Jesus, so it is with everyone who meets the risen Savior. Your life is forever altered. It was during that brief yet important meeting, that the Light shown of such magnitude that it completely blinded Saul and had to be led by his companions the rest of the way to Damascus.
In Acts 9:1-22 we see the awesome grace of Jesus Christ as Saul unexpectedly meets the Shekinah glory of the risen and glorified Christ on the road from Jerusalem to Damascus. This was a journey of about 150 miles.
Every step of the way Saul's contempt and anger for Christians grew stronger and stronger. There was a rage of murder in the dark heart of Saul that intensified with every step.
In fact, before leaving Jerusalem on his journey to Damascus, he went before the High Priest for letters of permission authorizing him among the synagogues to capture and bind all Christians who were followers of “The Way” as they were commonly referred to. Saul was given high authority to bring any and all people who he thought was in any way connected to the “Man that died on the cross” and have them imprisoned, or worse, killed. He was a maniac with credentials to eliminate Christians without any recourse.
However, Saul was in for a great awakening, a moment in time unexpected. He was stopped dead in his tracks on the Damascus Road as a blinding Light from Heaven caused his knees to buckle. Falling headlong and face down to the earth, Saul heard these resounding words,
“Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?”
He replied, “Who are you Lord?” Jesus answered directly and clearly, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (verses 4–5).
From that moment on, Saul’s life was turned upside down. He would never be the same after coming face to face with the glory of Jesus, so it is with everyone who meets the risen Savior. Your life is forever altered. It was during that brief yet important meeting, that the Light shown of such magnitude that it completely blinded Saul and had to be led by his companions the rest of the way to Damascus.
QUESTION INSTRUCTIONS: Please read each question and write your answer in the "COMMENT" box below. Be sure to number each answer corresponding to the question asked and be as thorough as possible. The more you put into this study, the more you will commit it to memory. IMPORTANT: Do not refresh or shut your computer down until you are finished with this section and click the "Submit" button or you will loose all your information.
14) Before the journey of Saul to Damascus, what did he obtain from the High Priest?
15) Who were ‘The Way’?
16) Discuss Saul's "Great Awakening".
17) What did Jesus say to Saul on the Road to Damascus and what was Jesus' reply?
18) Why did Paul's companions have to lead Paul the rest of the way to Damascus?
15) Who were ‘The Way’?
16) Discuss Saul's "Great Awakening".
17) What did Jesus say to Saul on the Road to Damascus and what was Jesus' reply?
18) Why did Paul's companions have to lead Paul the rest of the way to Damascus?
PAUL’S INSTRUCTIONS FROM JESUS
Jesus instructed Saul to continue their journey to the city of Damascus to see a man by the name of Ananias. At first, because of Saul’s repetition as a ruthless prosecutor of the Jews and especially Christians, Ananias was hesitant to meet with this Roman terrorist of the Sanhedrin. However, the Lord told Ananias everything would be okay, for God had chosen Saul as an instrument for good. He was to carry the Gospel of Jesus to the Gentiles, kings, and the house of Israel and would suffer greatly for doing so (Acts 9:16).
Being obedient to the Lord, Ananias did what God instructed him to do. He laid hands on Saul and told him of his vision of Jesus Christ. It was through a prayer of faith that Saul received Christ and the Holy Spirit sealed his heart for salvation and service (Acts 9:17). Afterwards, he regained his sight (Acts 9:18).
Immediately Saul went into the synagogues and preached Jesus Christ as the true Messiah, the risen, living, Son of God (Acts 9:20). He wasted no time, but was up and about his new occupation. He had traded his former terrorist life and transformed all that energy, and more, into preaching the Gospel.
The people were amazed to hear Saul’s message, especially knowing his violent reputation. At first the Jews thought he was there to trick an arrest the Christians and take them away (Acts 9:21), when in all actuality, Saul was there to join them in their new-found belief in Jesus. The conversion of Saul is perhaps the greatest display of God’s grace and power to change the lowest of sinners into a evangelistic machine for Jesus Christ!
Some of the places Saul preached were Damascus, Jerusalem, Syria, and his native home of Cilicia. Later Barnabas befriended Saul and became a helper to teach the church at Antioch (Acts 11:25).
Jesus instructed Saul to continue their journey to the city of Damascus to see a man by the name of Ananias. At first, because of Saul’s repetition as a ruthless prosecutor of the Jews and especially Christians, Ananias was hesitant to meet with this Roman terrorist of the Sanhedrin. However, the Lord told Ananias everything would be okay, for God had chosen Saul as an instrument for good. He was to carry the Gospel of Jesus to the Gentiles, kings, and the house of Israel and would suffer greatly for doing so (Acts 9:16).
Being obedient to the Lord, Ananias did what God instructed him to do. He laid hands on Saul and told him of his vision of Jesus Christ. It was through a prayer of faith that Saul received Christ and the Holy Spirit sealed his heart for salvation and service (Acts 9:17). Afterwards, he regained his sight (Acts 9:18).
Immediately Saul went into the synagogues and preached Jesus Christ as the true Messiah, the risen, living, Son of God (Acts 9:20). He wasted no time, but was up and about his new occupation. He had traded his former terrorist life and transformed all that energy, and more, into preaching the Gospel.
The people were amazed to hear Saul’s message, especially knowing his violent reputation. At first the Jews thought he was there to trick an arrest the Christians and take them away (Acts 9:21), when in all actuality, Saul was there to join them in their new-found belief in Jesus. The conversion of Saul is perhaps the greatest display of God’s grace and power to change the lowest of sinners into a evangelistic machine for Jesus Christ!
Some of the places Saul preached were Damascus, Jerusalem, Syria, and his native home of Cilicia. Later Barnabas befriended Saul and became a helper to teach the church at Antioch (Acts 11:25).
QUESTION INSTRUCTIONS: Please read each question and write your answer in the "COMMENT" box below. Be sure to number each answer corresponding to the question asked and be as thorough as possible. The more you put into this study, the more you will commit it to memory. IMPORTANT: Do not refresh or shut your computer down until you are finished with this section and click the "Submit" button or you will loose all your information.
19) What were the Lord's instructions for Paul once he reached Damascus?
20) According to Acts 9:18, what was Paul to do from henceforth?
21) What did Ananias do to Paul as instructed by God?
22) Immediately what did Paul do after receiving his sight?
20) According to Acts 9:18, what was Paul to do from henceforth?
21) What did Ananias do to Paul as instructed by God?
22) Immediately what did Paul do after receiving his sight?
WHAT CAN WE LEARN FROM THE LIFE OF PAUL?
FIRST: We can learn that God can forgive and save the most debased of sinners. We may have done terrible things in our lives, but when we look at the dreadful things Paul did we can have assurance the Lord can save us as well. We cannot go so deep in sin that Jesus Christ cannot forgive and save.
SECOND: we learn from the life of Paul that anyone can be a humble, powerful witness for Jesus Christ. Arguably, no other human figure in the Bible demonstrated more humility with boldness while sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ as Paul. Acts 20:19 tells us that he “served the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to [him] through the plots of the Jews.” In Acts 28:31, Paul shares the good news of Jesus Christ: “Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul was not afraid to tell others what the Lord had done for him. He spent all his days, from conversion to martyrdom, working tirelessly for the kingdom of God with great pleasure.
THIRD: we learn that anyone can surrender completely to God. Paul was fully committed to the Roman Empire, but surrendered to God. In Philippians 1:12–14, Paul wrote from prison,
“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”
Despite his circumstances, Paul praised God and continually shared the good news (see also Acts 16:22–25 and Philippians 4:11–13). Through his hardships and suffering, Paul knew the outcome of a life well lived for Christ. He had surrendered his life fully trusting God for everything. He wrote, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Can we make the same claim? Do we serve the Lord with gladness?
FIRST: We can learn that God can forgive and save the most debased of sinners. We may have done terrible things in our lives, but when we look at the dreadful things Paul did we can have assurance the Lord can save us as well. We cannot go so deep in sin that Jesus Christ cannot forgive and save.
SECOND: we learn from the life of Paul that anyone can be a humble, powerful witness for Jesus Christ. Arguably, no other human figure in the Bible demonstrated more humility with boldness while sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ as Paul. Acts 20:19 tells us that he “served the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials that happened to [him] through the plots of the Jews.” In Acts 28:31, Paul shares the good news of Jesus Christ: “Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul was not afraid to tell others what the Lord had done for him. He spent all his days, from conversion to martyrdom, working tirelessly for the kingdom of God with great pleasure.
THIRD: we learn that anyone can surrender completely to God. Paul was fully committed to the Roman Empire, but surrendered to God. In Philippians 1:12–14, Paul wrote from prison,
“I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”
Despite his circumstances, Paul praised God and continually shared the good news (see also Acts 16:22–25 and Philippians 4:11–13). Through his hardships and suffering, Paul knew the outcome of a life well lived for Christ. He had surrendered his life fully trusting God for everything. He wrote, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). Can we make the same claim? Do we serve the Lord with gladness?
QUESTION INSTRUCTIONS: Please read each question and write your answer in the "COMMENT" box below. Be sure to number each answer corresponding to the question asked and be as thorough as possible. The more you put into this study, the more you will commit it to memory. IMPORTANT: Do not refresh or shut your computer down until you are finished with this section and click the "Submit" button or you will loose all your information.
23) Discuss the 3 things we can learn from Paul's life.
24) Discuss from the above text what we may learn from Paul's life.
25) What have you personally learned so far from the life of Paul that can help you in your walk with Christ?
24) Discuss from the above text what we may learn from Paul's life.
25) What have you personally learned so far from the life of Paul that can help you in your walk with Christ?